18 U.S. Code § 35 - Imparting or conveying false information

(a)Whoever imparts or conveys or causes to be imparted or conveyed false information, knowing the information to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made, to do any act which would be a crime prohibited by this chapter or chapter
97 or chapter
111 of this title shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 which shall be recoverable in a civil action brought in the name of the United States.

(b)Whoever willfully and maliciously, or with reckless disregard for the safety of human life, imparts or conveys or causes to be imparted or conveyed false information, knowing the information to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made, to do any act which would be a crime prohibited by this chapter or chapter
97 or chapter
111 of this title—shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–64substituted “subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 which shall be recoverable in a civil action brought in the name of the United States” for “fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both”.